LLOYD COLE

BIO

Through both his lauded work fronting the Commotions and his more eclectic solo efforts, Lloyd Coleestablished himself as one of the most articulate and acute songwriters of the post-punk era. Born Ja... More

Through both his lauded work fronting the Commotions and his more eclectic solo efforts, Lloyd Coleestablished himself as one of the most articulate and acute songwriters of the post-punk era. Born January 31, 1961, in Buxton, England, Cole formed the Commotions in 1982 while studying philosophy at the University of Glasgow. Originally a large soul band, the group eventually trimmed itself down to a quintet that included keyboardist Blair Cowan, guitarist Neil Clark, bassist Lawrence Donegan, and drummer Stephen Irvine.

The uncommon quality of Cole‘s songwriting earned the Commotions a contract with British Polydor, and in 1984, they debuted with Rattlesnakes, a wry, heartfelt record of jangling guitar pop stuffed with references to the likes of Jules et Jim, Simone de Beauvoir, Norman Mailer, and On the Waterfront; “Perfect Skin,” the shimmering first single, reached the U.K. Top 30. Produced by the hitmaking team ofAlan Winstanley and Clive Langer, 1985’s Easy Pieces was a slicker effort that included the singles “Lost Weekend” and “Brand New Friend,” both of which earned significant airplay on alternative radio outlets.

Commercial success continued to elude Cole, however, and it took 1993’s Bad Vibes — a diverse effort touching upon psychedelia and electronics — a year to find U.S. distribution. By the time of 1995’s Love Story, his sound had come full circle; a return to the more minimalist, folk-rock-inspired work with the Commotions, the LP not coincidentally markedCole‘s reunion with the band’s guitarist, Neil Clark. The new millennium sparked a new union for Cole, for his 2001 albumThe Negatives not only showcased the album’s namesake, but the name of his new band. Collaborations with Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Ivy), Jill Sobule, andMichael Kotch (Vitamin C, Eve’s Plum) were featured on the new record, as well as production credits from Stephen Street (the Smiths, Blur). Extensive touring followed. During the same year, Colereleased two lower-key albums of solo material: Etc (Lost Songs, Tunes 1996-2000) and the entirely instrumental, electronic Plastic Wood.